How to get work as a climber?

[KermitTheFrog]

Thanks for all the replies guys, Im still learning and Im learning alot just from reading on the site. I have an opportunity to *possibly* be trained by a local climber, he works on the side for himself though so not sure about a real job there. but any training would be good for me. He's very old school, but knows his stuff. I worked with him once at my house and took down 5 damaged trees.

Im reading the tree climbers companion daily and practicing my knots. Hopefully if I land a job as a groundie I wont be corralled into the "dont know any knots" catagory haha I come from a hiking/ rapelling backround so I know that knots are extremely important, and I strive to know them all.

Keep the stories coming, being unemployed its nice to have stories to read!!

kermit

 

[ropensaddle]

Thanks for all the replies guys, Im still learning and Im learning alot just from reading on the site. I have an opportunity to *possibly* be trained by a local climber, he works on the side for himself though so not sure about a real job there. but any training would be good for me. He's very old school, but knows his stuff. I worked with him once at my house and took down 5 damaged trees.

Im reading the tree climbers companion daily and practicing my knots. Hopefully if I land a job as a groundie I wont be corralled into the "dont know any knots" catagory haha I come from a hiking/ rapelling backround so I know that knots are extremely important, and I strive to know them all.

Keep the stories coming, being unemployed its nice to have stories to read!!

kermit

Well are you calling the big outfits or are you at their worksite at 6 am with work boots gloves and a lunch box ?
The reason I ask is if the latter applies then I can't understand why they would not hire you. See if I'm heading a big operation and a youngster shows up seemingly ready, It would be much harder to not give him a chance as he has already show initiative!

 

[Blakesmaster]

Don't be too uppity, there Kermie. I wouldn't let a prospective employer know anything about your "experience" because it ain't anything worth noting. Not to sound harsh but most guys would rather train someone who don't know ####, and more importantly, knows that they don't know ####, than deal with a young knowitall blabberin away like a retard all day, ya know? Drag yer brush, carry yer wood, work harder than anyone else and a good employer will see that initiative and hopefully discuss helping you progress your career. This should take years so be prepared. Lol. Or if you have half a brain, run away now! Hahahahahahaahahaahahaha

 

[ropensaddle]

Don't be too uppity, there Kermie. I wouldn't let a prospective employer know anything about your "experience" because it ain't anything worth noting. Not to sound harsh but most guys would rather train someone who don't know ####, and more importantly, knows that they don't know ####, than deal with a young knowitall blabberin away like a retard all day, ya know? Drag yer brush, carry yer wood, work harder than anyone else and a good employer will see that initiative and hopefully discuss helping you progress your career. This should take years so be prepared. Lol. Or if you have half a brain, run away now! Hahahahahahaahahaahahaha

Lmfao well pretty much, lol. I dont care if they blabber as long as its on the way to the chipper with a decent stack of brush! How ever you bring up a valid point it is going to take years kermit probably faster if you can find someone actually needing climber trainee. I learned my climbing at the big O and then if you were willing to climb you got plenty of experience. I will not say it was the best way to learn though as shock treatment is a bit extreme.

 

[KermitTheFrog]

haha I dont mean to sound at all like a know it all, truth be told I don't know much. I prefer to have a stable backround of knowledge before I try putting it into practice. Im totally open to be taught however. Im only a few weeks into this, real green. Id rather know something going into it than knowing nothing. For example, im trying out all different types of hitches and learning them. Distel, VT, tautline, blakes, prussiks, etc. All useful, and good to have in my head for when I need them. And also beyond a work environment, this gear/knowledge will help me in the woods while hiking. I like to have a healthy knowledge of knots in general. (especially while hammocking)

My "experience" is only a single day with this other climber, just a taste of what a work day could be like. All I really did was saw and help him. Youre right, its not worth noting, and it isnt noted on applications haha I know Im young, and I respect my elders. Theyve been there, I havent. All I have to offer is work ethic and a willingness to learn from the pros! :msp_smile:

Im applying to places online and in the newspaper that run ads for whatever they need, most places dont list a company so Im assuming they are smaller outfits. I have no idea where the worksites are so I can't show up to one.

 

[ropensaddle]

haha I dont mean to sound at all like a know it all, truth be told I don't know much. I prefer to have a stable backround of knowledge before I try putting it into practice. Im totally open to be taught however. Im only a few weeks into this, real green. Id rather know something going into it than knowing nothing. For example, im trying out all different types of hitches and learning them. Distel, VT, tautline, blakes, prussiks, etc. All useful, and good to have in my head for when I need them. And also beyond a work environment, this gear/knowledge will help me in the woods while hiking. I like to have a healthy knowledge of knots in general. (especially while hammocking)

My "experience" is only a single day with this other climber, just a taste of what a work day could be like. All I really did was saw and help him. Youre right, its not worth noting, and it isnt noted on applications haha I know Im young, and I respect my elders. Theyve been there, I havent. All I have to offer is work ethic and a willingness to learn from the pros! :msp_smile:

Im applying to places online and in the newspaper that run ads for whatever they need, most places dont list a company so Im assuming they are smaller outfits. I have no idea where the worksites are so I can't show up to one.

Kermit look into Job corp, here they have a training program and it certifies you as climber, might help; also gives you pretty good skills! They have job placement program for graduates!

 

[KermitTheFrog]

Also I just want to point out, Im not looking to make $30/hour out the gate. Ill take what I can get as I go. Im prepared to have this as a career until I either fall out and die, or get too old. I know it will take a while, as it well should. Im at the bottom and I know it haha you won't find me toting on about how cool I am, I watch too much star trek and x files to NOT be a nerd haha

 

[KermitTheFrog]

Kermit look into Job corp, here they have a training program and it certifies you as climber, might help; also gives you pretty good skills! They have job placement program for graduates!

Do they really? I had no idea. I have a friend who did job corps for computers. Ill have to look into that. At the moment Im looking at getting my arborist license, and attending a climbing school for general safety and procedural guidelines. I havent found a climber cert yet, but ill look into the jobcorps thing!

 

[no tree to big]

when I first started looking for a job at a tree co I called like 30 dif places only 2 called back and it took a several months

 

[KermitTheFrog]

when I first started looking for a job at a tree co I called like 30 dif places only 2 called back and it took a several months

good to know im not the only one. Ive been applying to a bunch of places, nothing yet.

 

[ropensaddle]

Do they really? I had no idea. I have a friend who did job corps for computers. Ill have to look into that. At the moment Im looking at getting my arborist license, and attending a climbing school for general safety and procedural guidelines. I havent found a climber cert yet, but ill look into the jobcorps thing!

I know they teach it here in Hot Springs and u live onsite and you actually climb! Yes your a ISA certified tree climber after the program I looked into teaching there is how I know! I think they have the same program in Kentucky too

 

[KermitTheFrog]

I know they teach it here in Hot Springs and u live onsite and you actually climb! Yes your a ISA certified tree climber after the program I looked into teaching there is how I know! I think they have the same program in Kentucky too

Thats awesome! Im searching the programs in my closest states here in Connecticut. In CT to prune and whatnot you need a license, take downs you dont. or so I hear. Id bet its easier to get work with that on your card. ISA, License, etc.

 

[ropensaddle]

Thats awesome! Im searching the programs in my closest states here in Connecticut. In CT to prune and whatnot you need a license, take downs you dont. or so I hear. Id bet its easier to get work with that on your card. ISA, License, etc.

More importantly is your trained by a certified instructor you will learn all the methods techniques and put then into practice under educated supervision and if you pass will be ready for safe work operations.

 

[KermitTheFrog]

More importantly is your trained by a certified instructor you will learn all the methods techniques and put then into practice under educated supervision and if you pass will be ready for safe work operations.

Thats more or less what Im getting at. For me to work/train professionally as a climber, I should be licensed first I guess (in ct). Its kind of like driving a car from what I gather. Sure, you can drive all you want unlicensed, but get caught and youre in trouble. You can know all sorts of everything, but without that cert on paper you are in violation.

So thats why Im doing all this study of tree species, knots, climbing/rigging, because its all going to be used eventually and its on the test. Im not formulating my own techniques or anything, Im working with what the climber taught me. And with this study/knowledge, Ill learn the practice faster in real life situations because the backround info is already there concerning the basics

I checked the jobcorps around here, nothing for arborists! dang.

 

[ropensaddle]

More importantly is your trained by a certified instructor you will learn all the methods techniques and put then into practice under educated supervision and if you pass will be ready for safe work operations.

If your serious it may be worth a plane ticket round trip! I mean you will be able to say without a doubt you are a climber! Still would have much to learn of the industry but you will have a firm foundation.

 

[KermitTheFrog]

If your serious it may be worth a plane ticket round trip! I mean you will be able to say without a doubt you are a climber! Still would have much to learn of the industry but you will have a firm foundation.

definetly worth consideration!!! We have a similar cert here in the east with the ISA. not jobcorps related, but I am definetly interested in that. Id like to be a specialist for once than just a jack of all trades somewhere.

 

[ropensaddle]

definetly worth consideration!!! We have a similar cert here in the east with the ISA. not jobcorps related, but I am definetly interested in that. Id like to be a specialist for once than just a jack of all trades somewhere.

I sent a link check it out! Also if your top of the class I believe there is a scholarship program! Kermit the certification is ISA climber specialist after graduating how ever the benefit is actually climbing under supervision because even old climber such as myself have flaws. Having a trained instructor guide you is priceless and I believe you earn some not much but some!

 

[KermitTheFrog]

I sent a link check it out! Also if your top of the class I believe there is a scholarship program! Kermit the certification is ISA climber specialist after graduating how ever the benefit is actually climbing under supervision because even old climber such as myself have flaws. Having a trained instructor guide you is priceless and I believe you earn some not much but some!

yes I got the link, thats cool! Im looking into a climbing school around here too, theres a couple. I dont think moving out to arkansas is an option for me right now though, unfortunately. If the opportunity arose id be on the next plane lol I might join up with a Rec climbing group too, for practice. nothing like the view from on top of a tree.

 

[ropensaddle]

yes I got the link, thats cool! Im looking into a climbing school around here too, theres a couple. I dont think moving out to arkansas is an option for me right now though, unfortunately. If the opportunity arose id be on the next plane lol I might join up with a Rec climbing group too, for practice. nothing like the view from on top of a tree.

Lol yup

 

[ropensaddle]

agreed